The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a government initiative aimed at safeguarding investors' interests. Shares and dividends that remain unclaimed for seven consecutive years are transferred to the IEPF Authority. However, shareholders or their legal heirs can reclaim these shares by following a structured recovery process.
To
recover shares from IEPF, the claimant must first ensure they are eligible, either as the original shareholder or a legal heir. The first step involves visiting the official IEPF website and downloading Form IEPF-5. This form must be filled out with accurate details such as name, address, company name, folio number or DP ID-client ID, and the number of shares.
Once completed online, the claimant must print the form, sign it, and submit it along with supporting documents to the Nodal Officer of the respective company. Required documents typically include identity proof, address proof, share certificates (if available), and legal documents like succession certificates or probates in case of legal heirs.
After the company verifies the claim, it forwards the recommendation to the IEPF Authority. The Authority then scrutinizes the request and, if satisfied, initiates the transfer of shares back to the claimant’s demat account.
The recovery process may take a few months, so it’s important to track your application status through the IEPF portal. Professional assistance may be sought to avoid errors or delays. Recovering shares from IEPF is a reclaimable right—stay informed and proactive to get back what’s yours.
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